Transitions [SamandColby Fic]

Chapter 7

Sam and Colby made it home with very little event for the rest of the drive.  Sam parked his car in the garage beneath their complex, climbing out of the car with a bone deep exhaustion that had been slowly setting in through the drive.

Colby had already almost dozed off a few times next to him.  It was fine, Colby had been through a lot that night.  Sam could see why Brennan didn't let him drive home from these things. 

"Colby, hey..." A gentle shake to his shoulder was all that it took to wake Colby from his doze.  He started, looking around before he registered that they were back at the apartment.  He relaxed back in the seat, yawning hugely and stretching out his back.  He winced a little as the bruises reregistered, but sent a satisfied smile to Sam. 

"Quick drive," He commented.

"Tends to happen when you fall asleep," Sam teased.  Colby looked apologetic for a moment, but Sam waved him off as he climbed out of the car.  "Nah dude, you needed it." 

"Kinda an unexpectedly intense night," Colby shrugged, dragging himself out of the front seat as well.

"No kidding," Sam agreed, closing the front door and locking the car after Colby did the same.  He'd learned a ton tonight, and was feeling more than a little overwhelmed.  Sam headed over to the elevator, Colby following quietly behind him.  They made it up the elevator in exhausted silence, wandering to their neighboring apartments. 

Sam had just unlocked the door when Colby spoke, "Hey."  He pulled his key out and looked at Colby. 

"What's up?"

Colby was super out of it, but there was still a mild amount of worry on his face when he spoke next, "So... that was super intense, and like uh..." He chewed on the inside of his lip, "Sometimes after super intense nights, I have this endorphin crash?  We call it drop, and uh... if that happens I might need you to come over."

Sam felt worry spear through his chest.  "Yeah, whatever you need, dude.  Should I be worried?"

Colby shrugged. "Not really.  It's just a trade off for the super high highs sometimes.  Doesn't always happen, I just... there's a better chance, after tonight, because of uh... everything." 

"Everything?"

"All the intense scenes, you being there, having to jerk out of space that one time..."

"Sorry..." Sam still felt bad for that, more so now that he had seen how deep Colby could go into space and how long it took him to come out organically. 

Colby shrugged again. "Not a big deal.  I might just need a hug later." 

Sam smiled faintly.  "I can do that," He eyed Colby's body language.  "You want a hug now?"

"If that's okay?" Colby's body betrayed just how much he wanted a hug. 

"Colby..." Sam pulled Colby into his chest, wrapping his arms solidly around Colby's torso.  Colby's whole body seemed to relax with the contact, his face coming to press into Sam's shoulder.  "You can always have a hug, you dumb..."

Colby chuckled a little bit against his shoulder.  "Sorry, drop makes my brain do weird stuff."

"You're doing uh, the drop thing, now?" Sam was instantly more awake, worrying over Colby.

Colby made a non-committal noise.  "A little bit.  I thought I might be able to get to sleep before it hit and sleep through it, but uh... I guess not..." He even hugged Sam tighter, "Sorry... I know you're tired..."

"I'm more worried about you," Sam said honestly, and he was.  "What do you need, Wolf?" And when Colby's pseudonym slipped out, Sam didn't notice it at first, until he felt the way Colby's whole body just relaxed against him.  And then he tensed again.